has self-isolated, please contact any Vestry member or Chris so they can provide support.

3. We need to think of ways to help our community: whether it is ringing those who are staying at home, anyone ‘at risk’, the ‘over-70s’, those needing food and medicines delivered or just needing a cheerful email. Any ideas please to any member of Vestry, to

Jean and to Chris.

Please circulate this message as appropriate. In addition I have uploaded any upcoming instructions, prayers and other information to the front page of the CCD

website http://www.christchurchduns.org/ and to CCD

Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/christchurch.duns/ In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact Chris

or any member of Vestry about any particular concerns you might have.

The Pandemic is developing rapidly so take care. Please check the following websites for the latest information: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/ and https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19. See also https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others and https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Keep safe Janet Starkey, Vestry Secretary

Christ Church Contact Details

Reverend Christopher Jones Priest-in-Charge of the Berwickshire Episcopal Churches Group (BECG)

Telephone: 01361 884326 Mobile: 07745410487

Email: rector_bt@hotmail.com

Website: www.christchurchduns.org Charity Number SC009385

Material for inclusion in the next newsletter should be submitted as soon as possible and by

5.00pm on Tuesday, 21st April at the latest. Email: newsletter@christchurchduns.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/christchurch.duns/

Seeking to be a family of caring people growing in the knowledge and love of God through Jesus Christ and expressing that love, with the help of the Holy Spirit, through our relationships with one another and our

service and witness in the community.

CHRIST CHURCH DUNS

Teindhillgreen

Duns, TD11 3DX

A Place for Peace and Hope

Prison Quartet

I had an extended holiday with relations in Edinburgh

recently and went to the local church every Sunday.

One day, the minister announced that their prison

quartet would be singing the following evening. I wasn't

aware there was a prison in the vicinity and I looked

forward to hearing them.

The next evening, I was puzzled when four members of

the church approached the stage. Then the minister

introduced them.

"This is our prison quartet," he said, "behind a few bars

and always looking for the key."

Important Information

from The Vestry You have received the latest guidelines from the

College of Bishops, 17 March 2020' in response to

the corona virus outbreak. It is available on the Provincial website at https://

www.scotland.anglican.org/coronavirus-updates/. Critical points are:

1. The province is working on plans to make worship available online. The bishops

encourage participation in the broader Eucharistic life of the church in this way and emphasize the such online involvement is a form of participation in the Eucharistic community, even though participants cannot physically partake of the bread or wine.

2. Clergy and lay leaders must feel free to self-isolate themselves when that is appropriate either to safeguard their own health or the

health of others.

The College of Bishops continues to follow closely the developing situation in relation to corona virus. The rapidly changing picture brings about changes

on an almost daily basis and there may still be further changes to follow. The College continues to hold in its prayers the clergy and laity of the Scottish Episcopal Church and the people of Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole. At this time, the College offers further guidance as

follows. It should also be emphasized that in a rapidly changing situation, the guidance that follows must be regarded as subject to any public health guidance or direction, which must take precedence.

Bishop John has also sent supportive instructions and wishes us all well at this strange and challenging time. We will send out further information as and when we receive it.

Additional thoughts:

1. Chris and Vestry are working up some on-line

addresses, music etc. to be available via Facebook and our website. More about this later.

2. In addition, if you hear of anyone who is ill or

Congratulations to Mary Lackenby and Freda Brown on the birth of their great grandson Sam, a second son to

Chantelle and Neil Wilkie and a brother for Aaron.

During February we delivered 29 food parcels catering for 35 adults, 8 children and 11 pets. We also provided 5 chemist vouchers. This is the highest number of food

parcels we have delivered since April 2019 when Eyemouth was still within our area. (Eyemouth Foodbank opened in July 2019) From July 2019 to Oct 2019 we delivered 54 food parcels. From Nov 2019 to Feb 2020 this figure almost doubled to 102 food parcel, of which 53

went to Coldstream. We think this is almost certainly due to the Kelso Foodbank stopping deliveries, and only opening 3 days per week. So the 'need' out there is not going to go away any time soon. Clearly our grateful thanks go to all our donors and contributors, and a special word of thanks to our Quartermaster, Tom Redpath, and

the delivery teams who work unstintingly and efficiently to provide such a valuable service.

Our Foodbank is currently short of the following:

Potatoes; Rice; Custard Pudding; Fruit, Long Life Milk; Coffee; Sugar. Tins of Meat and Veg are always useful.

Thanks too to the Coldstream Boys Brigade who have given a very handsome donation of food in recent months. So many thanks to all who contribute so well to meet this important need in our part of the country. Every blessing, Charles

Note that the Parish Church is to be opened during the day to allow food to be dropped off there.

A Message from Chris

Well, who would have thought, 3 months ago as we stood on the threshold of 2020 with a sense of hope, expectation and, I guess, an underlying sense of familiarity, that we would now, 3 months later, be facing the impact of Covid-19. Many of us are being asked to self-isolate to protect ourselves, many are being asked to quarantine themselves at home to protect others and many are concerned that we will not be able to visit loved ones if they succumb to the virus. And the phrase ‘social distancing’ has now become part of our everyday vocabulary.

As I ponder all of this and its impact upon my life and our life together as God’s people and as society in general, there is one question that has come to the fore of my mind. And that is: What do I most value in life? I mean really value? I wonder how we each might respond.

For me the current circumstances have made me think more about my own relationships. Something we can so often and so easily take for granted; our relationship with God, with our family and friends, and with our wider community; for it is these that give us a sense of connection, meaning and belonging. And it is through our relationships with others that we so often sense and experience something more of our relationship with God and his with us.

As we reflect upon this and at this time, and as we take time to phone our families and friends, to deepen and strengthen relationships, or even to seek to patch them up, so we start to find that we are loved and valued; by others, but also by God. The Bible and the Christian faith remind us that we were created to be in relationship: God says to Adam – “It’s not good to be alone”, and Jesus promised his disciples “I will never leave you, nor forsake you”. Alongside this our communion service reminds us that the two greatest commandments are: Love God with all of your being and love your neighbour as yourself.

As we phone our families and friends, seeking to keep in touch and check they’re ok and remind them they’re not on their own through all of this, so we’ll find two things happening. First, we’ll find ourselves saying “I love you”

and we’ll probably hear the words “I love you too”; and so not only will we express our love for others, but we’ll be reminded that we are loved; and on a deeper level reminded that we are loved and valued by God. And secondly, as we remind our family and friends (some of whom might find themselves in ‘self-isolation’) that they’re not on their own, then again at that deeper level we’ll be reminded that God has not forgotten us or left us. As God’s promise within the 23rd Psalm reminds us:

Even though I walk through the darkest of valleys I will not be afraid, for you are with me, walking alongside me, comforting and protecting me.

As we face this growing Covid-19 outbreak, reflecting upon what is really important, may we remember that it is through our relationships, both with others and with God, that we discover and are reminded that we are truly loved and valued.

FOODBANK UPDATE

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

This year hosted by Christ Church. Where were you ?

A beautiful service attended by a good number of folks from St Margaret’s RC Church and Duns

Parish Church – and 2 from Christ Church! Yes, there were more members from our own congregation present, but these were people who were involved in either organising the service or

taking part on the night.

Obviously, there are those amongst our congregation to whom it is not possible for one reason or another to attend these evening services, but I am afraid that this happens every year at whichever church this particular service is held.

Come on – we can do a lot better than this !!

Marlene

Kate and Andy announce the unexpected arrival,

five weeks early, of their beautiful grandson, Rory

Andrew Hughes to their daughter Katie and her

husband Scott and now Big Sister Lucy on 29th

February - a Leapling! All is well and they are all

gradually recovering from the shock!

Drawn for us by Annie Brindle, North Shields

Daily Services There will be Virtual services daily for all BECG

churches via ZOOM as follows:

10.00 am Morning Prayer

6.00 pm Compline every day

10.45 am Sundays Virtual Sunday Services

At least some of these services will also then be

available to view via the http://

www.christchurchduns.org website each week.

Readings for April

Sunday 5th April - Palm Sunday

Isaiah 50. 4-9a Psalm 31. 9-16

Philippians 2. 5-11 Matthew 27; 11-54

Thursday 9th April - Maundy Thursday

Exodus 12. 1-14 Psalm 116.1, 10-17

1 Corinthians 11. 23-26 John 13. 1-17,31b -35

Friday 10th April - Good Friday

Isaiah 52.13-53, 12 Psalm 22

Hebrews 4. 14-16, 5. 7-9 John 18. 1-9, 42

Sunday 12th April - Easter Sunday

Jeremiah 31. 1-6 Psalm 118.1-2, 14-24

Acts 10. 34-43 John 20. 1-18

Sunday 19th April

Acts 2. 14a, 22-32 Psalm 16

1 Peter 1. 3-9 John 20.19-31

Sunday 26th April

Acts 2. 14a, 36- 41 Psalm 119.9-16

1 Peter 1. 17-23 Luke 24. 13-35

Abscond - to steal someone's cream tea

Acoustic - a Scottish cattle prod

Adamant -the very first male ant

Approximate - a sort of friend

Aspire - the pointy bit of a church

Alter ego - A priest who is full of himself

(sent in by Andy)

Important Announcement

The Scottish Episcopal Church today issues updated guidance from the College of Bishops on access to church and cathedral buildings during the coronavirus pandemic.

The College of Bishops has taken the ‘difficult and painful’ decision that our churches and cathedrals should now be closed to the public at all times, as the threat of the virus grows.

Full details are available in the PDF document attached to this email. The guidelines have also been published online on the Scottish Episcopal Church website at: https://www.scotland.anglican.org/church-buildings-closed-to-public-until-further-notice/

Please check the SEC website for any further updates, which will also be highlighted on social media. Any urgent information will also be communicated to you directly by e-mail.

Kind regards Donald Walker, Director of Communications Scottish Episcopal Church

(8.30 on Monday 23 March 2020)

Tae a Virus by Willie Sinclair Twa months ago, we didna ken, yer name or ocht aboot ye But lots of things have changed since then, I really must salute ye.

Yer spreading rate is quite intense, yer feeding like a gannet

Disruption caused is so immense, ye’ve shaken oor wee planet.

Corona used tae be a beer, they garnished it wae limes But noo it’s filled us a’ wi’ fear These days are scary times.

Nae shakin hawns, or peckin lips, it’s whit they a’ advise

But scrub them weel, richt tae the tips, that’s how we’ll a’ survive

Just stay inside the hoose ye bide Nae sneakin oot for strolls

Just check the lavvy every hoor And stock-take your loo rolls.

Our holidays have been pit aff Noo that’s the Jet2 patter Pit oan yer thermals, have a laugh And paddle ‘doon the waater‘ Canary Isles, no for a while Nae need for suntan cream And a’ because o’ this wee bug We ken tae be..19

The boredom surely will set in, But have a read, or doodle

Or plan yer menu for the month Wi 95 pot noodles.

When these run oot, just look aboot A change it would be nice

We’ve beans and pasta by the ton and twenty stane o’ rice.

So dinny think yell wipe us oot Aye true, a few have died Bubonic, bird flu, and TB They came, they left, they tried.

Ye might be gallus noo ma freen As ye jump fae cup tae cup But when we get oor vaccine made Yer number will be up.

Sent in by Catherine Wilson, Cellardyke

Monica Dixon Sadly Monica passed away on Sunday 22nd March aged 94: a long life well lived. Our thoughts and prayers are with Patrick, Genny and their families. When able Monica was an active member of Christ Church, doing readings, counting and recording Sunday collections and when well into her 80’s was on the Coffee Rota. When we had a bring and share meals, Monica always contributed, her whisky bread and butter pudding was very popular. She attended the Bible Study for many years and her input was much appreciated. She often shared with us her time in her beloved Patrington Church. She was a special lady with a lovely smile.

Jean

A Message from Bishop John

Dear Sisters and Brothers

By now you will have received the new guidance from the College of Bishops which anticipated the announcements from First Minister and Prime Minister. Inevitably, headline pronouncements require interpretation and I expect the implications to be worked out over the next few days. The principle behind the restrictions on movement is clear, however, and that is that we should not encourage any kind of unnecessary gathering, nor should we be travelling distances. Please respect this. None of us is an exception. If you have concerns you wish to talk through, especially around any vital services that may be delivered from your church or hall, please consult me.

I am so grateful for the way all our congregations have taken these challenging and distressing decisions in their stride. We are acting here out of love and care for one another not out of a desire to run away. Indeed, as I phone around the diocese it is clear that you have been working very hard not only to ensure pastoral contact with congregations (especially the most vulnerable) but also to look outwards and to find ways of serving the wider community. The new ‘lock down’ will further challenge us but I am sure that our resolve to serve God in the world as it is will bear much fruit in the coming weeks.

It was fascinating to see the different versions of Sunday worship offered in virtual form last weekend. Obviously, we must further revise what we might offer this coming Sunday and for the following weeks. May I encourage you not to be too anxious about this nor to aim too high.

Some of us are very tech savvy, others are not and there is no need to provide a personal Sunday experience when there are so many offerings on-line. In particular, the Province will be recording a simple Sunday service each week and putting in on the Provincial website. The key thing, it seems to me, is to work at maintaining real human contact with our congregations, and for that, thankfully, we have simple technology easily available to us, namely, the telephone.

I intend to record occasional messages to go on our diocesan website; please pass on the links to your congregations. In particular I shall be putting out a message in lieu of our Chrism Mass and working with the Provost of the Cathedral to offer an Easter message.

Look after one another, keep praying and trust God who, as today’s reading of the Feeding of the Four Thousand reminds us, can bring amazing things from our small offerings.

With my love +John (24 March 2020)

Vestry Update—Keeping connected! https://join.zoom.us

With the increasingly severe restrictions required to fight COVID-19 we are using ZOOM as a way of keeping in contact, having virtual services and meetings and providing as much pastoral support as possible. Its working very well. We used it for a service on Sunday and a Vestry meeting. We hope as many people as possible will join in the ZOOM activities.

During this crisis we will be doing the Sunday services; plus, morning prayer and every day for all three group churches via Zoom. The first service was held on Sunday 22 March and we felt that there was a real buzz about this opportunity to interact.

The rota for duties during services will still be functioning. Kate Lester will send out the usual list of who is doing what when. We will still have readers and lay leaders. We ask any-one down for welcoming duties to log onto the zoom site a little before the service to welcome people to the meeting (and to remind people to turn off any phones, tell their dogs to be quiet and the like during the meeting!). Paul is also or-ganising music to go with the Sunday services. Further infor-mation to follow.

To get onto ZOOM you need the ZOOM client installed on your computer. You can get it from here

https://zoom.us/download It is the first link 'zoom client for meetings'. If you have a smart phone either Android or iPhone there are apps for it further down the download list. To join a meeting go to

https://join.zoom.us and when prompted enter the main Christ Church number which is 327-461-8058. Available services so far are 10.45 am Sunday service, 10am most other days Morning Prayer, 6pm most other days Compline. It is good to know that twice a day you can go onto Zoom and know there will be someone there. Keep an eye on the Facebook page and Website for further details and contact any member of Vestry if you need more help getting set up for Zoom.

Virtual ZOOM Coffee! Wednesdays at 10.30 starting 25 March. This will be directly after Morning Prayer. Bring your own coffee, tea, cake and biscuits to eat while we chat.!

Bible Study Chris will be adding suitable Bible Study courses onto the website and plans to run ZOOM Bible Study meetings at 10.30 on Fridays soon. Vestry Vestry held our first ZOOM Vestry meeting on 23 March, and it was a great success!

Website

Vestry are enhancing the information available on the Chris Church website. There is a new section with advice during the Pandemic, another for special prayers. We plan to upload pictures of the church and its past activities so any contributions very wel-come. Please send any contributions to the website to Janet Starkey at jcmstarkey@gmail.com

The website will also have a Just Giving facility for your donations. You might also like to put aside your usual collection and when we meet again in person, we can donate our collections.

Keep Safe! Janet Starkey